Vostok 1

Yuri Gagarin’s historic first human spaceflight.

Overview

Vostok 1 carried Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space, on 12 April 1961. He completed one orbit of Earth and safely returned, marking a defining moment in human history.

The flight lasted about 108 minutes from launch to landing and demonstrated that humans could survive and function in the harsh environment of space.

📌 Mission Facts

Cosmonaut: Yuri Gagarin

Launch Date: 12 April 1961

Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome

Orbit: Single Earth orbit (~327 km max altitude)

“Poyekhali!” — “Let’s Go!”

As Vostok 1 lifted off, Gagarin famously exclaimed “Poyekhali!” — Russian for “Let’s go!”. His calm, optimistic personality helped turn a risky experimental flight into an iconic symbol of exploration.

Human Spaceflight Milestone

First human in orbit.
Proved that humans can handle launch, weightlessness, and re-entry.
Became a powerful cultural moment for the entire world.

Watch

🔗 Short documentary on Yuri Gagarin and Vostok 1.

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